R & R
If what you say is NOW correct, then I retract my comments, however, during the 8 years or so I did on the fleet, there were loads of FC's who went away back to the ground and DID retain their flying pay. If you are so much in the know, you will be only too well aware of the furore when PMA tried to recover the money from them!!??
As for the Gp Capt, is the famous (or maybe infamous?) JP not a Gp capt? Heard that he had RTB Waddo on promotion (albeit in the 'funny farm')
Lastly, you say that 'the E-3 FC cadre most definately does not benefit from high level support' What utter tosh Sir! I don't blame you for it, but someone very high up is most definately looking after the FC interests on the E-3D. I do not blame the FC's for that, good luck to them!. Your problem is , if you want to play with the big boys, you must abide by the big boys rules or face the wrath of them later, ie recognised survival courses BEFORE graduation - et al Blah!
Kind regards to all
The Swinging Monkey